How do I make a lovely charcuterie board?

[TitaniasAss]

I'm going to a friend's house at the weekend and we're all taking something to spread the cost. I've asked her what I can bring and she's suggested a 'lovely charcuterie board' so I need ideas on how to make it very lovely but simple at the same time. Thank you!

Go to Lidl or Aldi, they do great charcuterie for a good price. Use a decent sized chopping board, spread out charcuterie and then add rocket leaves and cornichons sprinkled over to garnish.

There's a Lidl near me - I was thinking cold meats, some olives/stuffed peppers, figs and walnuts? Do you think that would be ok?

Or Google it, you get some amazing ideas

That sounds perfect, even better than my suggestion

That's charcuterie ++. Only the meat bit is charcuterie.
It does sound lovely though apart from the figs

I would do something like this

You can make a rose by putting salami or other meats around the edge of a wine glass. Hard to explain- you might need to youtube it. Really easy and looks impressive. Put your oils/butters in little ramekin type dishes. If you don't have a board, use a disposable or just ordinary plates, will look just as good as the whole thing will be covered in gorgeous food anyway, nobody will care.

Charcuterie plus:

Meats from Lidl.

Celery cucumbers grapes

Bread for mopping dipping

Pestos and balsamic and garlic olive oil. And maybe a chutney

Cheeses.

I would not do what Mrs Mopp has suggested. That's not charcuterie.

Charcuterie needs to be mostly meet. It would be nice if you included some extras to make it look pretty and to make it a bit more varied, and also brought along some nice bread to go with it. But the core should be the meat.

A selection from any supermarket, with some Cornichons scattered around is absolutely fine. You can make it prettier by putting the meat out in different ways to create different shapes and heights. Roll ham slices, crinkle Parma ham, create patterns with chorizo or salami etc.

Agree sorry Mrsmoppp but that isn't a charcuterie board. Charcuterie is cured meat/salami/chorizo etc maybe with a few cornicing and olives on the side

Your mate means a grazing board, not charcuterie which is strictly meat but it seems to be used interchangeably.

But yes, meats, cheeses and then if you've got a tk maxx or similar nearby then you can get jazzy coated nuts, macarons etc. Grapes, figs, pretzels, olives.

There's loads of tiktok videos with people arranging them and cutting the cheese and faffing with the meat. Presentation is everything.

Just don't do a grazing board!

Thanks so much for the suggestions folks, that's really helped me out. 😊

I'm back - hostess has clarified that she is hoping for the fanciest of fancy boards with 'lots of additions' so not really a charcuterie board at all! Oh and she's dropped in that it must be gluten free as well so what 'fancy additions' can I add that will cut the mustard?!

Olives, a couple of types of cheese, gluten free crackers, grapes, some of the Italian mixed slice meat from lidl, stuffed peppers, maybe some chutneys in small bowls?

Really? She’d be lucky to get a packet of shiny value ham out of me with that attitude.

Pop on cherry tomatoes, bag of rocket, radishes & spring onions, falafels, mini scotch eggs & mini quiches if they have them

Well I'm a wee bit surprised. 😁One of the other guests has messaged me asking what the fuck 'pretty little desserts' are supposed to be as that's what she's been asked to bring. Hostess has just moved to a big posh house so maybe she's getting into the swing of things, she's very lovely really!

This was one I did one new year

Gluten free

stuffed olives and stuffed mini peppers
gerkins, smoked salmon & cucumber rolls
sushi packet of 6,

How many people was that for @GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough ? I'm struggling with how much to do, there are about 10 people going and I want to do enough but can't afford to go over the top!

For ease, I would do a separate gluten free offering.

That was for about 10 but I had some fancy crisps and breadsticks and dips and savoury snacks on the side

Oh, my gosh. I'm dying laughing at this. Please find out what the other guests were asked to bring. I also need a full report from the the weekend. I have a feeling it's going to be very interesting!

I would just buy a fancy-looking plank of wood from somewhere and buy different cold meats that you can cut up and put on the fancy-looking plank of wood.

i have no idea if that is ok though.

How's that meant to feed 10?!

6 people would be scotch eggless